For sure, I agree, but at the same time, I think that something like this is almost at the point of being memorizable , teachable as
an action, and so forth.
Take care,
Sina
-----Original Message-----
From: Cain, Sally [mailto:sally.cain@rnib.org.uk]
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 4:28 AM
To: Sina Bahram; David Bolter; wai-xtech@w3.org
Subject: RE: TTS from web content?
When we are looking at solutions, we also need to remember that not everyone has the same level of technical ability.
Thanks
Sally
-----Original Message-----
From: Sina Bahram [mailto:sbahram@nc.rr.com]
Sent: 24 August 2010 09:16
To: Cain, Sally; 'David Bolter'; wai-xtech@w3.org
Subject: RE: TTS from web content?
With something like WebAnywhere, or to a lesser degree, at least less completely free, SAToGo, this is not the case. I've started
these services tens of times on various machines ranging from netbooks to laptops to desktops to servers, and have done so without
sighted assistance.
Take care,
Sina
-----Original Message-----
From: Cain, Sally [mailto:sally.cain@rnib.org.uk]
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 4:11 AM
To: Sina Bahram; David Bolter; wai-xtech@w3.org
Subject: RE: TTS from web content?
Hi Sina,
I totally agree there are lots of people who can't afford an expensive screen reader but in order to get to the internet they need
to use some sort of screen reader to start the PC and navigate around to open the web browser. This will always be an issue for
access to the internet in a traditional way.
Thanks
sally
-----Original Message-----
From: wai-xtech-request@w3.org [mailto:wai-xtech-request@w3.org] On Behalf Of Sina Bahram
Sent: 23 August 2010 15:50
To: Cain, Sally; 'David Bolter'; wai-xtech@w3.org
Subject: RE: TTS from web content?
The first thing that comes to mind is that there are millions of individuals who can't afford a screenreader in the Windows world,
and whose needs are not served by the state of accessibility offered to them by, let's say Orca, in the open source free world.
There's therefore a need to facilitate those individuals' access to information and the web as a whole. Web anywhere might actually
have some numbers on this in one of their papers?
Take care,
Sina
-----Original Message-----
From: wai-xtech-request@w3.org [mailto:wai-xtech-request@w3.org] On Behalf Of Cain, Sally
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 5:15 AM
To: David Bolter; wai-xtech@w3.org
Subject: RE: TTS from web content?
Hi all,
Everyone has been discussing the technical issues here which of course are really important. However I think it is also important
that we consider the practical issues too. Just to play devil's advocate...
where would this sit in the market? Who would use it? Is the amount of work that is required worth it for the amount of people who
would use it?
The answer to all of my questions may be that it would be used loads and yes it is well worth it. However from the perspective of
blind and partially sighted people if you are using a screen reader, you will probably continue to use your screen reader rather
than change to using the speech within the page. So I think it is important to think about the other people who might want to use
it. Possibly one example would be those with dyslexia or other learning difficulties. If they are struggling with a page then speech
would help them with the content.
However I do support the two main concerns that David has around quality and clashing with screen readers.
Thanks
Sally
-----Original Message-----
From: wai-xtech-request@w3.org [mailto:wai-xtech-request@w3.org] On Behalf Of David Bolter
Sent: 19 August 2010 16:22
To: wai-xtech@w3.org
Subject: TTS from web content?
Hi all,
What do you think about having browsers provide built-in text-to-speech capability to web content? While I imagine a declarative
approach might be quite interesting I think we can go farther faster with a JavaScript API approach. The main two concerns I have
are:
1. We don't want to encourage unpolished aural interfaces.
2. We don't want to conflict with traditional screen readers.
The biggest potential I see is:
1. Innovation in Aural interfaces. The same kind of innovation we see happening in visual DHTML interfaces.
2. TTS solutions in places, and on devices where traditional screen readers are problematic. For example, perhaps on some mobile
devices that are currently not accessible.
3. The TTS can be done in the browser, on the native platform (e.g.
Voice Over on OSX), or 'in the cloud'. We just need to get the API right.
Are we ready? Please speak up.
cheers,
David
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